Flooding leaves Lee Co. littered

Lee County officials say recent flooding left a lot of damage and debris along its famous creeks. Officials and consultants boated up and down the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee Creeks in the last two days, inspecting damage from recent flooding.

What they found was a lot of debris and damage on both creeks, and a lot of people's stuff that floated away in the rushing waters.

As they boated up the Kinchafoonee Creek today, Lee County officials found lots of debris on the banks. Lots of lots of trash of all kinds and description. And they say it will actually get worse.

Lee Co. Code Enforcement Director Jim Wright said "There is a lot of debris here to be picked up. We're seeing what we can see now, but as the water gets lower we're obviously going to find more here that we don't know about."

They also found several boats. Some floating, but many had sunk. The officials inspected the Muckalee Creek yesterday, and found a number of docks broken by the swift waters, but today the debris along the Kinchafoonee is much worse.

Lee County Code Enforcement officer Ben Roberts said "Dock wood. We saw spray containers, anything. We actually saw a door to a house was out floating in the creek."

An environmental consulting geologist went on the inspection along with county officials, to look at the impact on health concerns this flood could have.TTL Incorporated Geologist Landon Wooden said "It's what you can't see, as far as the ground water contamination. I think that maybe your biggest concern, particularly for people who aren't on city water."

Lee County officials brought back the boats they could. They said the debris is significant, and this year's River's alive community cleanups will have to be massive efforts, picking up after the flood's fury.

Those boats and floats the officials towed back were taken to the impound lot at the Lee County Sheriff's Office, where the owners can claim them.

According to the National Weather Service, the Flint River in Albany is currently at a low 19.98 feet. But in Newton water is in mid-level minor flood stage at 27.49 feet. The level in Bainbridge is at 28.52 feet.

In Abbeville, the Ocmulgee River is at 16.16 feet, which is above flood stage at 12 feet.